The upcoming hikes thread

@ghaznavid - I've been considering a hike up the Sleeping Beauty Cave valley and then dropping into Hidden Valley by crossing over the ridge separating the two valleys, about 1km up from Sleeping Beauty Cave. Then we would return by descending Hidden Valley and joining up with the Giant's Cup Trail to get back to Garden Castle.

I seem to recall you've done a similar hike before - how is it? Is the off-path stuff in the upper parts of Hidden Valley rough-going? I just want to make sure it's not too tough as a day hike since this is a route I'll be taking my (fit, but not too keen for bundu) wife and sister along on.

@Cave Man: Matebeng is right next to Mlambonja, a nice alternative is to summit Rhino and maybe Verkyker on the first day, camp at the top or Mashai Shelter and then head over to Mlambonja, Matebeng and Mashai (Wilson's peak should have an amazing view, so maybe consider this over Mashai, or as well as Mashai). You can also consider returning via Wilson or Bollard Pass if your up for some adventure, from Mashai Peak it will be shorter than returning to Mashai Pass.

@Stijn: You asking about my favourite ridge in the Berg! I haven't actually descended over it before, but I did look at it to see how difficult it would be. The main problem (as you can see in the photo below) is that you end up in the wrong valley, you thus either need to cross the ridge before the valley splits or cut over 2 ridges.



As you can see in this photo, the terrain in the valley is very easy, hence my recomendation for its use as an easy family hike:

Thanks ghaznivid - looks fantastic!

Haha intrepid - we will indeed be descending Rockeries on the 19th after a night in either Ledgers or Mponjwane Cave. Looking forward to a live report-back on Nguza!

I'll be spending a week in the berg, doing only day walks. I find i never have time to explore the little berg valleys, the hikes are always goal orientated to reach the escarpment.
On my planned list is the Thukela falls from car park, Thukela gorge from Mahai, Rainbow gorge, the loop on the contour path below Cathedral Peak and Langalibalele pass.

Not quite December - but next weekend we are doing a three day trip - overnighting at Lakes Cave, then the next day doing Minaret Pass. Tenting on top and coming down Amakhela Pass the following day. Does anyone have any info on Minaret? I beleive there are one or two scrambles and a rope might be handy to haul packs up. Water situation?

I haven't done minaret pass, but I have seen pics of it on berg.co.za and I have read up on it in David Bristow's Best Hikes of the Drakensberg (which also claims that hikers don't use Corner Pass - lol). Apparently the pass is well used by smugglers so there is a pass most of the way, and the top section has a large choke-stone. Its top is narrow and steep.

Thanks Ghaznavid, I have had a look at the pics on the berg.co.za website - looks pretty steep! I will let you know how it goes and hopefully have some more photos to share

@Elinda. You did Bollard in snow an' ice.

So Minaret won't be a problem.

Take some rope. There is one spot where it will help to haul packs.

To get into the pass proper you need to take a traverse along the base of Amakela from the saddle at the head of the valley you ascend from Lakes Cave.

Easiest out is down Amakela.

Thanks so much ST2 - this photo helps a lot and gives us a good idea of the route to take. I will give an update on our return -we are off this Friday